Oscar Defends His Territory - Addendum Three

M-L writes on November 10, 2010

Another update so we can all relax. When the squirrels were inside, I came down the stairs with a loud 'good morning squirrels' no matter what time of day. I've kept this up when I go outside to feed them.  Another familiar thing to make them feel reassured, but likely not reassuring to the neighbours (tee hee). 

This morning there were the 2 giant greys, 3 regular greys and 6 various black squirrels--word is spreading this is a great place to eat apparently.  As I gave my morning greeting, all scattered.  After making a sumptuous spread of sunflower seeds, I was watching the birds then I just about leaped out of my skin when a squirrel came out of no where and landed a foot away from me.  Oscar! 

Slowly 3 smallish black squirrels came to eat from the trays and get a drink from the dog bowl. Missy, Jackie and Honey!! We celebrated with almonds. Gradually, the other squirrels came back to the buffet (I'm putting out lots to minimize the fighting). One of the giant greys tried to come over and get an almond, not knowing this was a private party, but Oscar chased him away. Did it ever look funny to see little Oscar chasing a squirrel the size of a baby ground hog.

Oscar, big, brave squirrel.

Addendum Two - A Yard Full of Squirrels

M-L writes on November 9, 2010

I checked out the back yard this am and the place was full of squirrels!! Oscar was eating under a bird feeder that had a big black squirrel hanging upside down on it fishing out seeds and spilling lots.  Jackie was digging in the leaf cover near the cages and eating who knows what, but appeared happy.  Missy was sitting on the railing 3 feet away from a giant grey squirrel and pigging out on seeds.  There were 2 other grey squirrels and other black squirrels and I'm hoping Honey was one of them. The cages have been moved into the house again and hopefully will be uninhabited until spring.  Updates as exciting events happen.

Addendum to Release Day, Nov. 7/10

Something of which you may not be aware but there were two of us shepherding Oscar, Jackie, Missy and Honey over the months. ML and I shared custody of the young rodents and it is to her back yard that they were released on November 7.

I know you are going to be fascinated in ML's account of what how the squirrels are adapting and what they are up to. 

In her words: 

Wasn't it lovely to see the squirrels, lead by the intrepid Oscar take off to live their lives!  At 4 pm yesterday afternoon, Missy was still hiding in the tree at the front.  It took a bit of talking but she stuck up her head so I could tell her the new digs were at the back. Jackie was way up the top of their tree as she was when you left. Oscar was in Honey's nesting box doing who knows what, but did come out to get an almond and then boot it up the tree to go in one of the new nesting boxes.

At noon today, there was a wee squirrel who looked like Jackie up at the top of the fir tree in the back yard. No sign of the young man, likely exploring.  I watched for a while from the inside and saw 3 big greys come over to eat the seeds left out for our squirrels.  The 2 medium sized black squirrels ate off the feeders only. 

 

 After a while, a smaller black squirrel came across the lawn and perched on the door to Oscar's cage.  It looked like Missy, and listened intently to my voice as I spoke to her through the opened patio door. No sign of Honey.  Hopefully she will reappear, but she was such frightened little girl from square one, so I don't know what will become of her.

I don't expect to see much of them with the weather so good and so much world to explore. 

 

Oscar enjoying sunflower seeds left out for him and his friends.

 

How Oscar has Grown!

This photo was taken five days after he arrived, gently carried home by my cat. I thought it was a June Bug in his mouth, at first, but since it was squealing, I quickly disbelieved myself.

What a fortuitous evening that was!

Anyone involved with the raising of this squirrel, we all agree, it was The Summer of Oscar.

Baby Squirrel Oscar

Haven't heard one way or the other if the young squirrels are safe and sound but expect so. Their cages are being left in place at the bottom of the tree for a couple of days in case they feel the need to check back and to provide them with a touchstone should they forget that the tree and nesting boxes up top are now their home.

What a grand experience it's been raising Baby Squirrel Oscar!

Come spring, there will be an entire population of baby Oscars and Oscarettes as Oscar is quite the man-squirrel and he does, after all, have three charming girl friends, Missy, Jackie and Honey.

There will be updates as they happen.

Thank-you, everyone, for being part of this past summer's amazing events. Who knew that an embryonic rodent brought home by a cat, something that looked like a new-born chihuahua, would flourish and provide endless delight in so many people's lives.

The Big Day Arrived Today

Cages, doors open, leaning up against the tree.

The weather in Ottawa was superb for squirrel-release today. Sun shining, no precipitation and none called for the next few days.
 
The two cages were carefully brought outside and propped up against the tree in which two nesting boxes had been secured.

The idea was for the squirrels to exit and run up the tree to discover the familiar boxes, into which dried leaves had been stuffed, and to realize that this was their tree, their new home.

Nesting boxes well-placed in a mature tree.

Oscar was first out.

He headed right up the tree, circling it as he did.

Looking into their nesting box in the cage, it was packed with the stuffing from a plush toy they'd ripped apart.

Oscar on the left and Jackie headed up the tree together.

Oscar perched on the roof of his new home.